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Stanford: String Quartets Nos. 1, 2, & 6 / Dante Quartet
SOMM Recordings

Stanford: String Quartets Nos. 1, 2, & 6 / Dante Quartet

$20.99

Details

Composer
STANFORD, CHARLES VILLIERS
Artist
DANTE QUARTET
Format
CD
Label
SOMM Recordings
Released
Jan 17, 2020
Catalog #
SOMMCD 0607
UPC
748871060722

About

SOMM Recordings’ historic complete survey of Charles Villiers Stanford’s String Quartets by the Dante Quartet reaches its end with a third volume focusing on Nos. 1 and 2, and the first recording of No. 6. Already acclaimed as a composer of choral music, Stanford came relatively late to the string quartet form, composing his first two at the age of 39 in 1891. Six more followed over the next three decades, including the Op. 122 String Quartet, No. 6 in 1910. This final volume features the early String Quartets, Opp. 44 (No. 1) and 45 (No. 2) which share a concern for meticulous use of individual instrument voices and a leaning towards lyricism. Allusions to Beethoven and Mozart are contained within Stanford’s own beautifully crafted music. Heard here in its premiere recording, the Sixth String Quartet is a work of rich contrasts, restless energy and some of Stanford’s most expressive writing for the medium. Volume I (SOMMCD 0160) was admired as “an excellent disc in every respect” (MusicWeb International), applauded as “most enterprising and thoroughly likeable” (Classical Ear) and acclaimed “a really worthwhile release” (Gramophone). Volume II (SOMMCD 0185) was described as “essential listening... SOMM and the Dantes have broken important new ground with impressive commitment” by Gramophone and by Limelight as being “played with great élan and sensitivity by the excellent Dante Quartet”.

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REVIEW:

The Dante Quartet play splendidly throughout the album, with noticeably clean articulation and gratifying intonation. Unerringly accomplished, these Dante performances, combined with spirited interpretations that breathe vitality and enthusiasm, would pass the most rigorous examination. The engineering team, recording in St Nicholas Parish Church, Thames Ditton, has provided first class sound quality. Stanford biographer Jeremy Dibble has written the booklet notes. Lovers of British music, and Stanford in particular, need not hesitate in acquiring this superb album.

– MusicWeb International

Tracklist 11 tracks

  1. 1 I. Allegro assai 08:41
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro assai
    Duration
    08:41
    Composer
    Charles Villiers Stanford
    Ensemble
    Dante Quartet
  2. 2 II. Poco allegro e grazioso 05:22
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Poco allegro e grazioso
    Duration
    05:22
    Composer
    Charles Villiers Stanford
    Ensemble
    Dante Quartet
  3. 3 III. Largo con molto espressione 10:21
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Largo con molto espressione
    Duration
    10:21
    Composer
    Charles Villiers Stanford
    Ensemble
    Dante Quartet
  4. 4 IV. Allegro molto 05:08
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Allegro molto
    Duration
    05:08
    Composer
    Charles Villiers Stanford
    Ensemble
    Dante Quartet
  5. 5 I. Molto moderato 08:29
    Track
    5
    Title
    I. Molto moderato
    Duration
    08:29
    Composer
    Charles Villiers Stanford
    Ensemble
    Dante Quartet
  6. 6 II. Prestissimo 02:38
    Track
    6
    Title
    II. Prestissimo
    Duration
    02:38
    Composer
    Charles Villiers Stanford
    Ensemble
    Dante Quartet
  7. 7 III. Andante espressivo 07:47
    Track
    7
    Title
    III. Andante espressivo
    Duration
    07:47
    Composer
    Charles Villiers Stanford
    Ensemble
    Dante Quartet
  8. 8 IV. Allegro molto 07:46
    Track
    8
    Title
    IV. Allegro molto
    Duration
    07:46
    Composer
    Charles Villiers Stanford
    Ensemble
    Dante Quartet
  9. 9 I. Allegro molto moderato 08:24
    Track
    9
    Title
    I. Allegro molto moderato
    Duration
    08:24
    Composer
    Charles Villiers Stanford
    Ensemble
    Dante Quartet
  10. 10 II. Lento espressivo 07:38
    Track
    10
    Title
    II. Lento espressivo
    Duration
    07:38
    Composer
    Charles Villiers Stanford
    Ensemble
    Dante Quartet
  11. 11 III. Allegro vivace 06:43
    Track
    11
    Title
    III. Allegro vivace
    Duration
    06:43
    Composer
    Charles Villiers Stanford
    Ensemble
    Dante Quartet